Read a full match report of the Six Nations game between Wales and England at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Friday Feb 4 2011.
Land of Hope and Glory ? Yes, why not? Delighted England fans certainly thought so as they streamed out of the Millennium Stadium on Friday night, victory over Wales already putting their side in the driving seat for Six Nations honours and suffusing dreams with thoughts of World Cup honours. This was a defining moment.
England have proved poor travellers in the Six Nations and this was a performance that silences any doubts about their ability to deliver under duress and on the road. They will carry it with them to New Zealand in September.
England knew that they had to strip the match back to its basics: be direct, be accurate and silence that crowd. They did just that with a trademark try from wing, Chris Ashton, in the 14th minute. It was a deflating experience for Wales and their support.
It was some task to try to reduce the Millennium Stadium to a mere ‘rectangle of grass,‘ as Martin Johnson had urged in midweek. The place has an aura, and the locals have centuries of perceived grievances to fuel their larynx. England were playing a nation more than a team.
The streets were thronged, the mood intoxicating and the clamour deafening. The roof slid slowly shut a couple of hours before kick-off, Martin Johnson having given his consent once the weather deteriorated.
England have proved poor travellers in the Six Nations and this was a performance that silences any doubts about their ability to deliver under duress and on the road. They will carry it with them to New Zealand in September.
England knew that they had to strip the match back to its basics: be direct, be accurate and silence that crowd. They did just that with a trademark try from wing, Chris Ashton, in the 14th minute. It was a deflating experience for Wales and their support.
It was some task to try to reduce the Millennium Stadium to a mere ‘rectangle of grass,‘ as Martin Johnson had urged in midweek. The place has an aura, and the locals have centuries of perceived grievances to fuel their larynx. England were playing a nation more than a team.
The streets were thronged, the mood intoxicating and the clamour deafening. The roof slid slowly shut a couple of hours before kick-off, Martin Johnson having given his consent once the weather deteriorated.
This was to be a test of character as much as of skill. Heart and soul still count for as much as muscle and bone. England were kept waiting as Wales let the decibel level build and build. Their nerve was being well and truly tested.
England, of course, were looking to whip up a storm of their making, and after weathering an early battering, struck decisively when Toby Flood spotted two props in front of him and arrowed between them.
As ever, the poacher supreme, Ashton was on his shoulder to touch down under the posts. It was just what England needed.
England had to be secure, and initially they were, Mike Tindall setting the captain’s example by gathering Stephen Jones’s kick-off. It was a bruising opening, Ben Foden clattering into Jones and leaving him dazed on the turf.
England won a free-kick at the first scrum only to then concede a penalty at a scrum moments later, James Hook’s kick from 50metres only narrowly wide.
It was Wales setting the pace, though, England looking hesitant. Toby Flood missed a tackle on Wales’ lock, Bradley Davies, England infringed but this time it was Jones who fluffed the kick from a straightforward, if long-range, position.
Two chances, two blobs. Finally Jones landed one in the 22nd minute after James Haskell was caught offside.
England were too easily rattled at times, conceding penalties. Their one promising foray ended when Shane Williams lassoed Ben Foden and England failed to release. Error upon error.
Tindall made a complete mess of an intended pass to Chris Ashton, the ball flying into touch rather than into his hands.
England would not have wished for the beating handed out before Christmas by South Africa but it was a salutary experience. It reminded them of the need to front-up first and foremost. It’s invariably a game of inches not yards, a battle for control of the gain line. Gradually, England asserted their might.
Injury shaped England’s hand in the back-row, 24 year old Northampton openside, Tom Wood, drafted for his debut in order to shore up their lineout. He did well.
Wales coach, Warren Gatland, knows all about the potential wobbles of being a hooker. And it was the fragile being that Gatland was goading when he singled out Dylan Hartley for criticism. The crowd backed their coach, jeering Hartley.
Yet Hartley has served England well: steadfast in the tight, secure in his throwing and a handful round the field. Hartley was up to the task. He hit his man in the lineout.
No matter that England had clout up-front. Wales had one of the most potent finishers in the game in their ranks. Shane Williams is capable of flipping a game on his own, as his haul of 51 tries in 75 tests amply illustrates. He may be ageing but he’s not ailing. Williams was a constant threat.
So, too, was Mike Phillips. The burly scrum-half showed a great turn of speed after England lost possession in the Wales 22. Out came Wales, Phillips feeding his wing, Morgan Stoddart, who escaped down the flank only to be hauled down by Foden. It was a try-saving tackle.
Wales, though, had their dander up, launching attacks into English territory. They cracked, lock Louis Deacon deliberately infringing. He was dispatched to the sin-bin in the 28th minute, Jones knocking over the penalty.
If there was one thing Wales had to do it was take advantage. They didn’t, Andy Powell stupidly giving away a penalty, duly converted by Flood. Powell was substituted only minutes later.
It was three points apiece during Deacon’s absence, a poor return for Wales. England went into the interval 13-6 ahead.
Wilkinson nailed it with a penalty four minutes from time.
England, of course, were looking to whip up a storm of their making, and after weathering an early battering, struck decisively when Toby Flood spotted two props in front of him and arrowed between them.
As ever, the poacher supreme, Ashton was on his shoulder to touch down under the posts. It was just what England needed.
England had to be secure, and initially they were, Mike Tindall setting the captain’s example by gathering Stephen Jones’s kick-off. It was a bruising opening, Ben Foden clattering into Jones and leaving him dazed on the turf.
England won a free-kick at the first scrum only to then concede a penalty at a scrum moments later, James Hook’s kick from 50metres only narrowly wide.
It was Wales setting the pace, though, England looking hesitant. Toby Flood missed a tackle on Wales’ lock, Bradley Davies, England infringed but this time it was Jones who fluffed the kick from a straightforward, if long-range, position.
Two chances, two blobs. Finally Jones landed one in the 22nd minute after James Haskell was caught offside.
England were too easily rattled at times, conceding penalties. Their one promising foray ended when Shane Williams lassoed Ben Foden and England failed to release. Error upon error.
Tindall made a complete mess of an intended pass to Chris Ashton, the ball flying into touch rather than into his hands.
England would not have wished for the beating handed out before Christmas by South Africa but it was a salutary experience. It reminded them of the need to front-up first and foremost. It’s invariably a game of inches not yards, a battle for control of the gain line. Gradually, England asserted their might.
Injury shaped England’s hand in the back-row, 24 year old Northampton openside, Tom Wood, drafted for his debut in order to shore up their lineout. He did well.
Wales coach, Warren Gatland, knows all about the potential wobbles of being a hooker. And it was the fragile being that Gatland was goading when he singled out Dylan Hartley for criticism. The crowd backed their coach, jeering Hartley.
Yet Hartley has served England well: steadfast in the tight, secure in his throwing and a handful round the field. Hartley was up to the task. He hit his man in the lineout.
No matter that England had clout up-front. Wales had one of the most potent finishers in the game in their ranks. Shane Williams is capable of flipping a game on his own, as his haul of 51 tries in 75 tests amply illustrates. He may be ageing but he’s not ailing. Williams was a constant threat.
So, too, was Mike Phillips. The burly scrum-half showed a great turn of speed after England lost possession in the Wales 22. Out came Wales, Phillips feeding his wing, Morgan Stoddart, who escaped down the flank only to be hauled down by Foden. It was a try-saving tackle.
Wales, though, had their dander up, launching attacks into English territory. They cracked, lock Louis Deacon deliberately infringing. He was dispatched to the sin-bin in the 28th minute, Jones knocking over the penalty.
If there was one thing Wales had to do it was take advantage. They didn’t, Andy Powell stupidly giving away a penalty, duly converted by Flood. Powell was substituted only minutes later.
It was three points apiece during Deacon’s absence, a poor return for Wales. England went into the interval 13-6 ahead.
Wilkinson nailed it with a penalty four minutes from time.
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